Overview

Are you starting to explore what it means to attract new customers outside the U.S.? The international marketplace offers a world of business opportunities. The SBDC can help your business become a successful competitor in foreign markets by helping you plan and implement your exporting strategy.

Services

When you work with the Pennsylvania SBDC, an international trade consultant will help you identify the best foreign markets for your company's products or services and will help you locate specific trade leads. Companies may also receive assistance with importing products to the U.S.

The SBDC work closely with Pennsylvania's overseas offices, where in-country experts will review your international strategy and help you refine and hone your approach.

Resources

• DCED Virtual Trade Advisor - If you’re ready to start or expand your export business, you’ll find the information you need with the free interactive Virtual Trade Advisor. You can locate the best markets for your product with our market statistics reports or receive recommendations and help on everything from trade regulations to generating leads and finding grants and financing.
• Access the U.S. Commercial Service Market Research Library containing more than 100,000 industry and country-specific market reports, authored by our specialists working in overseas posts.
• U.S. International Trade Administration - International Trade Finance Guide - This guide is designed to help U.S. companies, especially small- and medium-sized enterprises, learn the basic fundamentals of trade finance so that they can turn their export opportunities into actual sales and achieve the ultimate goal of getting paid.
• The U.S. Department of State's Direct Line Program provides a unique opportunity for American businesses, particularly small- and medium-sized enterprises, to engage directly via teleconference with U.S. Ambassadors overseas. The program is open to American companies which are already in the country where the Ambassador serves or which are interested in expanding their businesses into those countries.

Educational Events

As part of the SBDC's core services, educational events are offered across the 18-center network to help you familiarize yourself with international trade issues such as international insurance, cross-cultural communications, logistics and tax regulations. Click here to search events.

Partner Events

U.S. Commercial Service - Basics of Exporting Webinar Series
Learn how your company can tap into the Global Marketplace! As part of the National Export Initiative, the Commerce Department’s Trade Information Center is offering a series of webinars on the basics of exporting.

Opportunities in Central America Business Development Conference & Trade Mission
Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Belize, July 15-19, 2013
The U.S. Commercial Service is organizing a trade mission in conjunction with the Opportunities in Central America Business Development Conference in San Jose, Costa Rica on July 15-19, 2013. Trade mission participants will be able to take part in the conference and have business-to-business meetings in two of the partnering countries. The mission is open to U.S. companies from a cross section of industries with potential for growth in Central America, but focusing on best prospects including construction equipment/road building machinery, medical equipment and devices, and safety/security.

Trade Mission to Colombia
Colombia, September 9-12, 2013
The U.S. Department of Commerce is organizing a multi-industry trade mission, which will provide participants the optimal venue to connect directly with business opportunities in the region. The purpose of this mission is to assist U.S. companies in launching or increasing exports of U.S. goods or services to Colombia. The mission will include business-to-business matchmaking appointments with local companies, as well as market briefings and networking events. The mission is open to U.S. companies from a cross section of industries with growing potential in Colombia, including, but not limited to safety and security equipment and services, medical equipment, cosmetics, agricultural machinery, and information technology.

U.S. Commercial Service Business Forum - DISCOVER2013 Exports: Compete, Win, Grow
Raleigh, North Carolina, September 9-12, 2013
The U.S. Commercial Service and the North Carolina District Export Council are hosting this international business conference geared towards U.S. companies that want to be competitive in rapidly growing markets. There will be regional panels featuring industry specialists and hands on information sessions covering international marketing strategy, foreign contract negotiation, global risk mitigation, and more. Participants will have many opportunities to network, as well as meet one on one with U.S. commercial diplomats.

Energy and Environment Trade Mission
Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines, September 15–21, 2013
This is an exciting opportunity to leverage fast growth in the Southeast Asian region, and be a part of President Obama’s Expanded Economic Engagement (E3) initiative in the region.  Investment is pouring in to energy development projects and environmental initiatives in the region. The Department of Commerce will bring 15 – 20 companies for rounds of confirmed meetings with potential customers, partners, relevant government officials, and networking receptions in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Manila.

C3 2013 US- Arab Summit with President Bill Clinton as Keynote
New York City, October 7, 2013
Join the U.S. Commercial Service for a one-day international business Summit designed to help U.S. businesses take advantage of established and emerging export opportunities in the Middle East. This event will provide participants with up-to-date market intelligence and help develop practical strategies for exporting their goods and services into new markets around the globe. Plenary sessions will feature high-ranking U.S. government officials, Diplomats and international business leaders from the private and public sector. Come dialogue with  Experts on Finance, Intellectual Property Rights, Education, Energy, Safety & Security on changing polices between America and the Middle East. Early Bird Registration Fee: $200 through July 1 (use special registration code "charter;" $250 after July 1, 2013) Fee includes Access to all Plenary sessions, extreme Networking receptions, including breakfast, luncheon and evening reception. 
 
Healthcare Trade Mission to Russia
October 21-25, 2013
The U.S. Department of Commerce is organizing a Healthcare Trade Mission to Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia from October 21-25, 2013. The mission will focus on revealing crucial aspects of market intelligence and regulatory environment with the assistance of industry experts and Russian government agencies and introducing U.S. healthcare exporters to prospective business partners. The Healthcare Trade mission will promote the competitiveness of U.S. medical equipment, dental equipment and biotechnology subsectors in a key emerging market and demonstrate U.S. Government support for Russia’s healthcare sector goals. Recruitment is open until July 29, 2013. For more information, please contact Jessica Arnold at .